The Head Spa — Local services in West Hartford

I seldom leave reviews but I was compelled to leave one for this spa because of my experience. I really wanted to love this experience and waited to come after booking several months ago but I will not be returning for another service. I had a 60 minute detox service yesterday.

The space itself is nice, but really just on the surface. I understand they just moved into this new space and are still undergoing construction so I don’t fault them for the bathroom being incomplete or having holes in the walls. I was more disappointed that the treatment room itself wasn’t completely private. The walls to the rooms and reception area don’t go all the way up to the ceiling, leaving you to hear everything happening outside. Once the water of the fountain starts some of that is muffled but not completely. The treatment room too has a bed with lush looking textiles but once under the covers they aren’t plush or warm and the bed itself doesn’t warm like most massage or facial beds. I was cold through much of my appointment.

The service itself was nice but not extraordinary. I booked an ultimate 90 minute experience but by the end realized that’s not the service I received—I only received a 60 minute detox. There didn’t seem to be a prescribed rhythm or established protocol. It just felt like rub my head, rinse, rub my face, repeat but it didn’t seem to have purpose behind the motions.

The products used smell nice- but I will caution that they are not your typical spa smells such as lavender, vanilla, citrus. They are much spicier and one tonic smelled very heavily of cardamom and curry, which for me wasn’t an issue but if you don’t like smells like those it would be difficult to get through the entirety of the service.

I wasn’t expecting to leave the service covered in hair oil. My hair. even when it dried, still looked sopping wet with the oils that were added at the end. I understand this may be part of the therapeutic process, but I wish it was noted somewhere because I was definitely not able to go anywhere else as planned after the service. Even today, after a shower and two rinses with shampoo, my hair is still oily.

Lastly, I have also broken out in a dry, bumpy rash on my face from the face products used. Even putting on my normal products today, my face burns from how dry it is.

I don’t know if this spa grew too quick or what happened but I was very disappointed with the experience, especially given other reviews and their social...

It was a relaxing experience! I did the 60 minute lymphatic/face sculpt. However, it felt only like 45-50 mins. And like a quick in and out. The space is small, I think only two rooms? It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you could hear everything on the other side where someone else was receiving a treatment - it kind of took away from the fully relaxing experience, but it wasn’t the end of the world. There wasn’t much of a consultation in the beginning, but I was asked what my skin concerns are and The Head Spa does ask you to provide that info in the notes section on the Vagaro website when you first book your appointment. A lot of times the consultation cuts into the time of your appointment so really the facial or massage, for example, is really only like 45 mins instead of 60 mins. Also, it says cash only on the website so I had that ready, but when I was there I was allowed to use card, so that should probably be updated on the website. When I first got there, there was no one to great me, because the two people working either had a client in the room or was cleaning up I’m assuming. I only waited like 5 minutes though and I got there 15 minutes before my scheduled appointment. It’s a small business, so it makes sense they weren’t there to greet right away, but as someone going there for the first time that would’ve been nice. There was relaxing music playing in the background. I’m also curious what products they use. I have sensitive skin and have had a couple negative experiences with facials at spas (elsewhere) due to my sensitive skin. However, the person I went to here was very kind and knows what she is doing. I’m big into natural products/holistic care and try to learn as much as I can. My skin felt lifted and rejuvenated and it wasn’t aggravated from the products used. I almost fell asleep twice, that’s how relaxing it was. 60 mins didn’t feel like enough! My skin felt way less stressed and clogged. One thing I did wish was blackhead/pimple extractions. Not sure if that is an option and you have to tell them at the start of your appointment or if it’s not something they do at this spa. Overall, I would go again...

I had my appointment on Friday, Nov. 1st at 2pm and I was not pleased with the service. For the $200 (plus tip) treatment I was expecting way more than what was offered. The scalp analysis was not much explanatory, the scalp massage was just ok (my hairdresser does better) but my esthetician wasn’t explaining the steps at all, not even asking me anything the whole time, such such as whether the water was good temperature, or that she was placing a freezing mask over my face, or whether I am comfortable, and so on. The whole time she was quiet and I didn’t know what was happening. I felt uncomfortable and awkward by her not interacting at all. The bed wasn’t heated and not comfortable laying on it for 90 minutes; it was hard and my lower back was hurting, and she could see that I was uncomfortable because I was fidgeting to find a better position. At one point she stopped massaging my head, put my hair in a bun, placed a sheet mask on my face for 10-15 minutes without saying or doing anything else. She literally didn’t say a word for 15 minutes, it was weird. Usually when i go to spa they don’t let you stay like that; they massage your decolletage or if it’s the head spa maybe massage my head more? It was strange. While I was laying there I regret of coming. In addition, the environment wasn’t that comfortable; the space is open, little chilly, and I even heard someone vacuuming while I was on bed. I never leave negative reviews but my experience was disappointing. I was waiting for this appointment for 4 months!

On 2/2, I added to this review this: since I posted about the disappointing service I haven’t heard from the owner at all, no apologies, no explanations, nothing. She can easily find out the name of the esthetician and reach out to me etc. But shows that they clearly don’t care about the customer’s satisfaction just charging money for mediocre service. Lastly I even wonder what kind of certifications their estheticians have to perform this service… Honestly if I paid $50 I wouldn’t complained, but paying 200 plus tip...